We know we say this all the time, but they don’t call it God’s Own Country for nothing. From rolling landscapes to hidden, mystical beauty – our region isn’t short of wonderful places to discover. And if you’re looking for a scenic stroll, we’ve got just the spots. All nestled within the magical national park, here are some amazing Yorkshire Dales waterfalls.
The Yorkshire Dales is also full of many wonderous trails, wild swimming spots and stunning views that hit differently than any other spot in the world.
1. Janet’s Foss, Malham
One of our favourite waterfalls in the UK, Janet’s Foss is easily accessible and can be found tucked away just off of a country road near the famous Gordale Scar. It’s a short walk from the quaint village of Malham.
The waterfall is a popular wild swimming spot and is allegedly named after a fairy queen who lived in a cave behind the waterfall. How magical? It’s one of the most popular, so it’s best to get their early for the best photographs and a quiet swim.
2. Aysgarth Falls, Leyburn
One of Yorkshire’s most popular water spots, Aysgarth Falls is a trio of small waterfalls on the River Ure. Easily accessible from the village of Aysgarth, you’ll likely have seen this pretty little spot on Instagram before – with many flocking to see the Yorkshire Dales waterfalls every single year.
You can park at the Aysgarth visitors centre and take a short walk up the upper falls, which were made famous by Kevin Costner in the motion picture Robin Hood.
The middle and lower falls are back the other way across the road and are just a short walk through the woodland. You can have a little paddle at the upper falls and in between the lower and middle falls as well.
3. Linton Falls, Grassington
Everything about this Yorkshire Dales waterfall is beautiful. Found just a five-minute walk down from the Grassington car park (National Park Centre), you traverse between two traditional stone walls, which is synonymous with the area and create a beautiful symmetry that many photographers love to capture on the way down to the walk. Once you reach Linton Falls, it is framed by the wooden bridge that overlooks it.
From a little downriver, you get a magical picture of the falls, which is overlooked by a precariously perched house. Every time you visit the falls you get a different feeling. Whether after a storm where you get a feeling of awe at its sheer power has the river thrashes down, or in the summertime when the flowers are in bloom and the river idles along leaving visitors to wonder how it ever carved its way through.
3. Kisdon Force, Swaledale
Ok, so Kisdon Force isn’t just one waterfall… It’s actually a series of waterfalls on the stunning River Swale – making it a great spot if chasing waterfalls is your thing. Situated near Keld, the waterfalls vary in size, dropping ten metres in total.
Located in the emerald green woodland in the heart of the dales, they’re some of the most beautiful in the UK, and another great one for a spot of wild swimming, which the Yorkshire Dales is wonderful for – especially in the summer months.
4. Catrake Force, Keld – Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls
Another beauty in Keld, Catrake Force is a four-step waterfall, just downstream from another beauty spot, Wain Wath Force with the next Yorkshire Dales waterfall downriver from it being the Kidson Waterfall which we wrote about above.
Located on the River Swale, this one’s not completely accessible – but you can get to it via the Rukin’s campsite in Keld.
Read More: 9 Of The Best And Most Scenic River Walks In Yorkshire
5. Posforth Gill, Bolton Abbey
This little gem is tucked away on the estate of Bolton Abbey, which sits on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. After you’ve had your run on the iconic stepping stones, head into the woodland towards Simon’s Seat – and this gem is hidden just off the track down into the woodland.
It has. a lovely plunge pool for you to take a dip in if the weather is nice and warm and is a real hidden gem that you have to seek out to find, which makes it even cooler when you do.
6. Ingleton Waterfall Trail, Ingleton – Waterfalls In The Yorkshire Dales
Thornton Force is pictured above and is part of the popular Ingleton Waterfalls Walk, dropping 46 feet into the River Twiss. The impressive sight is arguably the highlight of the trail (which officially opened in 1885) and one of the best waterfalls in the Yorkshire Dales, and joins Pecca Falls, Pecca Twin Falls, and Holly Bush Spout on the 4.3-mile circular route.
7. Scaleber Foss, Settle – Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls
One of Settle’s hidden gems, Scaleber Force can be found deep in a wooded area of the dales, around 1.5 miles away from Settle village.
But the best part about this Yorkshire Dales waterfall? You don’t even need to walk to it – and you can actually park nearby to check out this beauty. See the waterfall from above from Scaleber Woods, or head down to its pool to view it in all of its glory.
8. Hull Pot, Horton-in-Ribblesdale
Hull Pot is a really cool sight to see, and while it’s not technically a waterfall if you visit it after a heavy rainfall, you’ll get to see the water flowing over into the collapsed cavern. If you visit in dry weather, you won’t need to miss out either, as the water resurfaces in the pot itself from the nearby beck.
9. Catrigg Force, Settle
Visited by the composer Edward Elgar And friends who praised the 6-metre high waterfall and visited various times, it’s the perfect secluded spot to enjoy this summer.
It’s found just a short distance from the village which is just north of Settle, where you can park up and enjoy a circular walk to the dramatic Yorkshire waterfall Catrigg Falls.
The falls are only a couple of miles from Stainforth village and are some of the best waterfalls in the Yorkshire dales – perfect for those who enjoy wild swimming. The falls found in the wooded gorge have a beautiful beck that flows into it and is a great hidden gem to enjoy a dip before continuing on to a walk in the hills.
10. Cautley Spout Waterfall, Sedbergh
Cautley Spout in The Yorkshire Dales is one for the bucket list. Found on the western edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, it’s the highest cascading waterfall in England and is a dramatic sight as it tumbles down the cliff face into the Cautley Holme Beck.
You’ll be able to experience some lush landscape as well as some beautiful views at the summit of Calsders and Lakeland fells whilst you make your way on this walk.
You can park up at the Cross Keys pub – and then follows signs for Cautley Spout and head over the River Rothay. It’s quite easy to walk to the base of the falls. Make sure you take in the view of the valley.
11. Wain Wath Force, Keld
Located on the River Swale, set in the Swaledale region of the Yorkshire Dales National Park. This Yorkshire Dales waterfall sits upstream from the village of Keld, in a hollow below Kisdon falls. It’s around 1100ft above sea levels and boasts some fantastic views of the surrounding valley and hills.
There are three other waterfalls in the region. Kisdon as I already mentioned, East Gill Force, and Catrake Force – so you could go on a waterfall hunt in the region if you so wished.
12. Mill Gill Falls – Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls
This Yorkshire Dales waterfall is an absolute hidden gem. Mill Gill Force is a picturesque waterfall that is just a short walk outide the village of Askrigg, but remains relatively unknown. The village is famous for the setting of James Herriott original All Creatures Great and Small TV series.
The walk is well sign posted through the woodlands just outside of the Yorkshire Dales village and involves some uphill walking and navigation of some of the tiniest gates we’ve ever seen. There’s. a couple of other waterfalls along the way as well.
13. Pecca Falls
Located on the River Twiss on the Ingleton Waterfall Walk, it’s one not to be missed. This Yorkshire Dales waterfall is huge and partly obscured at the back of a deep rock gorge. There’s Pecca Bridge which makes a great viewing point for the wonder. Boots are advised for this walk if you choose to take a look.
14. Rutter Force Waterfall – Yorkshire Dales Waterfalls
The Eden catchment boasts numerous breathtaking waterfalls, and among them, Rutter Force near Appleby-in-Westmorland stands out as exceptionally stunning. Adjacent to this mesmerizing cascade lies a charming old mill with a rich history.
Dating back to 1579, this mill originally served the purpose of grinding corn. Over time, it underwent transformations, functioning as a sawmill before being repurposed for bobbin manufacturing.
In the year 1926, a turbine was installed, aiming to provide electricity to the nearby village of Great Asby. However, its reliability left much to be desired. Nevertheless, it remained the sole electricity source for the village until 1952 when the National Grid was introduced.
Read more: 7 Magical Woodland Yorkshire Getaways That Are Perfect For A Weekend Escape
[Featured image: Aysgarth High Force/Wikimedia Commons/Wehha/licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0]
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